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23 hilarious comedies you can watch in under 10 hours
Want to laugh but strapped for time? We've got you covered.
BBC/Steve Schofield, Channel 4, Radio Times
- James Hibbs
Published: Thursday, 25 June 2026 at 7:00 am
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Where the US has a history of long-running comedies with 20 plus episodes per season, the UK has always been known for its shorter runs.
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Classic shows such as The Office and Fawlty Towers have successfully delivered the laughs and got out while they were on top, securing their legacies. The same can be said for more recent comedies like This Country and Big Boys. Of course, some series get cancelled before their time, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth watching.
If you're on the lookout for something like this – a quick comedy binge watch that you can make your way through at speed – then we've got you covered.
From Extras and The Inbetweeners to our modern comedy poll winner After Life, through to comedy thrillers and comedy dramas like Wedding Season and This Way Up, read on for our selection of comedies you can watch in under 10 hours.
1. This Country
Daisy May and Charlie Cooper as cousins Kerry and Kurtan in This Country. Sophie Mutevelian BBC
This mockumentary follows cousins Kerry and Kurtan Mucklowe, played by Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper, as they navigate life in a small Cotswolds village. The hilarious series captures the boredom, eccentricity and humour of rural England, with a cast of oddball characters and deadpan comedy, and deservedly helped to propel both of its leads and creators to stardom.
2. Fleabag
Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s groundbreaking comedy-drama centres on a sharp-tongued, emotionally complex woman navigating life, love and loss in London. Waller-Bridge stars as the titular Fleabag, whose direct-to-camera asides create a unique bond with viewers. The series has been celebrated for its wit and honesty, as well as its strong performances from the cast, including supporting characters played by the likes of Sian Clifford and Olivia Colman. Fleabag’s blend of comedy and tragedy, innovative storytelling and unforgettable characters have made it a modern classic, resonating with audiences worldwide.
3. The Office
This mockumentary sitcom, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, revolutionised British comedy with its cringe-inducing humour and painfully relatable characters. Set in the mundane world of office life, The Office follows David Brent (Gervais), the deluded manager of the Wernham Hogg paper company, and his long-suffering staff. Some fans may be more familiar with the US version starring Steve Carrell, but if so they should definitely revisit this short-lived but perfectly formed comedy masterpiece.
4. This Time with Alan Partridge
Steve Coogan returns as Alan Partridge, the inept and oblivious broadcaster, in this spoof of magazine-style television like The One Show. Alan is given another shot at live TV, co-hosting a show alongside Susannah Fielding’s Jennie Gresham, with his trademark awkwardness, misplaced confidence and social faux pas on full display across 12 brilliant episodes.
5. Extras
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant reunite for this comedy about Andy Millman, a struggling background actor desperate for a break. Gervais plays Andy, an extra who across the episodes encounters self-absorbed celebrities, with guest stars including Kate Winslet, Samuel L Jackson and Daniel Radcliffe gamely sending themselves up. The series skewers the entertainment industry, as Andy's eventual successes bring about their own dilemmas.
6. The End of the F***ing World
A darkly comic road-trip drama, The End of the F***ing World centres on two misfit teenagers: James, who believes he’s a psychopath, and Alyssa, a rebellious classmate. Alex Lawther and Jessica Barden deliver standout performances as the unlikely duo who embark on a chaotic adventure across England, as the series balances pitch-black humour with heartfelt emotion. Its distinctive style, sharp dialogue, and subversive take on the coming-of-age genre have earned it cult status.
7. After Life
Ricky Gervais in After Life. Netflix
This comedy-drama series from Ricky Gervais sees the actor, writer and comedian play Tony, a local journalist struggling with overwhelming grief following the death of his wife. After Life blends dark, caustic comedy with heartfelt drama, as Tony’s bitterness gives way to unexpected moments of kindness and connection. The series, which ran for three seasons, also stars the likes of Penelope Wilton and Diane Morgan.
8. Wedding Season
This romantic comedy-thriller follows Stefan (Gavin Drea), a man who objects at the wedding of Katie (Rosa Salazar), a woman he has been having an affair with at various weddings. She rejects him, but when her new inlaws end up poisoned, the two of them must go on the run – even if he is deeply suspicious of her. It all makes for a fun blend genres, and a fast paced road trip with plenty of questions to be answered across the episodes.
9. Big Boys
Jack Rooke’s semi-autobiographical comedy-drama follows Jack (Dylan Llewellyn), a shy and closeted university fresher, as he forms an unlikely friendship with mature student Danny (Jon Pointing), who is on the other end of the scale of masculinity. A comedy a emotional as it is hilarious, with deeply specific yet endearing references, it captures the awkwardness and excitement of coming-of-age, while tackling serious subjects with sensitivity and optimism.
10. The Inbetweeners
This beloved comedy follows four socially awkward friends – Will, Simon, Jay and Neil – as they navigate the trials of Sixth Form at a comprehensive school. With Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley and Blake Harrison in the main roles, the series is known for its crude humour, memorable lines, and painfully relatable situations, delivering laugh-out-loud moments alongside genuine insight into growing up.
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11. Back
David Mitchell and Robert Webb reunite in this dark-comedy series about Stephen, a man who inherits his family’s pub after his father’s death, only to have his life disrupted by the return of Andrew, a man claiming to be his former foster brother. Andrew quickly becomes a hit with Stephen's family, but Stephen becomes increasingly paranoid about his intentions and whether he really is who he says he is.
12. Peacock
This offbeat comedy from some of the team behind People Just Do Nothing centres on Andy Peacock, a personal trainer in a small town who becomes obsessed with maintaining his status as the top instructor at his gym. As new competition threatens his position, Andy resorts to increasingly desperate measures to stay ahead.
13. Derry Girls
Derry Girls. Channel 4
Set in 1990s Northern Ireland, Derry Girls follows a group of teenagers – Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle and James – living in Derry against the backdrop of the Troubles. Starring Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Nicola Coughlan, Louisa Harland, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell and Dylan Llewellyn, the series combines sharp wit with heartfelt moments, and perfectly blends its exploration of real-life issues and historical contexts with well-drawn, often hilarious characters.
14. Spaced
Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes (née Stevenson) star in this cult comedy about two strangers who pretend to be a couple in order to rent a flat together. It's the series through which the world got to know Edgar Wright, and thus features a number of his trademarks, including fast-paced editing and pop culture references. Featuring surreal humour, and a game supporting cast such as Nick Frost and Julia Deakin, Spaced really is a one-of-a-kind watch.
15. Still Up
This charming comedy-drama revolves around two insomniac friends, played by Craig Roberts and Antonia Thomas, who keep each other company during sleepless nights. Through late-night conversations, they share their hopes, fears and everyday struggles, developing a deep connection despite never meeting in person.
16. Living with Yourself
Paul Rudd stars in this dark comedy as Miles, a man who undergoes an experimental treatment which offers to give him a better life. However, he soon releases that he's been replaced by a clone, a better version of himself. As Miles grapples with his existential crisis and battles his doppelgänger for control of his life, the series blends humour, sci-fi and psychological drama.
17. The Wrong Mans
James Corden and Mathew Baynton star as two ordinary council workers who become unwittingly embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy after answering a ringing phone at a crash site. Combines action, suspense and comedy, the series follows the hapless duo as they navigate a series of escalating threats and misunderstandings, constantly getting themselves in deeper the more they try and get out.
18. Rev
Tom Hollander stars as Adam Smallbone, an inner-city vicar struggling to balance the demands of his parish, his marriage and his own sense of faith. The series blends comedy and drama, and gives a complex look at the modern-day realities of being a vicar, as opposed to the way they have traditionally been portrayed. Also starring in the series is Olivia Colman, who plays Adam’s supportive but long-suffering wife.
19. This Way Up
This Way Up. Channel 4
Aisling Bea stars as Áine, a woman recovering from a "teeny little nervous breakdown", in this sharp and heartfelt comedy. As Áine, who teaches English as a second language, starts to rebuild her life, she navigates relationships with her protective sister (played by Sharon Horgan), her students and romantic interests. The series balances laugh-out-loud moments with sensitive explorations of mental health and loneliness.
20. Black Books
Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey and Tamsin Greig star in this cult sitcom set in a chaotic second-hand bookshop run by the misanthropic Bernard Black. The series is known for its surreal humour and eccentric characters, as we follow Bernard, Manny and Fran through the daily challenges of running the shop, and their own dysfunctional lives.
21. Fawlty Towers
John Cleese and Prunella Scales star in this iconic sitcom set in a dysfunctional seaside hotel. Cleese’s Basil Fawlty is a masterclass in comic frustration, constantly battling incompetent staff, difficult guests and his formidable wife Sybil. With its tightly constructed farce, memorable characters and razor-sharp dialogue, Fawlty Towers is widely regarded as one of the greatest British comedies of all time.
22. Hello Ladies
This US comedy series from Stephen Merchant sees him star as Stuart, a socially awkward Englishman searching for love in Los Angeles. Taking elements from Merchant's stand-up show of the same name, and mining his own dating misadventures from comedy, it's a seriously cringe-inducing show that perhaps pushes this even further than his earlier work with Ricky Gervais. However, it also has a heart, and comes to a satisfying conclusion in a one-off TV film.
23. Chewing Gum
Michaela Coel writes and stars in this bold and inventive comedy about Tracey, a young woman who has lived a restricted life with her deeply religious long-term boyfriend, and wants to lose her virginity and learn more about the world. Both seasons of the show were acclaimed upon their debut, with the series being celebrated for its originality and unique voice.
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Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
James HibbsDrama Writer
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
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